# Great songs performed in totally different genres **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 23, 2016, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618 "2016-09-23T03:12:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/61 "2016-09-25T20:38:47Z")
[Jamaican in New York.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AG6ubkSIn4) [Some Japanese guys playing a song you will recognize in three notes.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-GLzEscCX4) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/62 "2016-09-25T21:11:34Z")
At the end of the movie **A Midnight Clear** (which is excellent, by the way), there is a version of the eponymous song done in a dirge-like mood. At the end of each verse, she ends on a note that is unexpected and it gives the song a whole different tone. I’ve never been able to find it or the artist anywhere online. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/63 "2016-09-25T21:22:53Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I think [Johnny Cash’s cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FywSzjRq0e4) of Nine Inch Nail’s “Hurt” qualifies. Qualifies? [Hurt](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1Pwfnh5pc) should win some kind of award in the category of cover songs along with [Personal Jesus](http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xp5gru_johnny-cash-personal-jesus_music) by Depeche Mode. Hurt was such a powerful song the way he covered it and you understood that he understood it. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/64 "2016-09-25T22:39:16Z")
Toad the Wet Sprocket’s take on Kiss’ [“Rock and Roll All Night”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqzs_8lRW0M) Gwar covering [“Carry On Wayward Son,”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baExq6xNhQ8) [“West End Girls,”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duF2KAs0Pqo) by the Pet Shop Boys, and [“Get Outta My Dreams (and Into My Car)”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMkA76KpWO8) from Billy Ocean. The [AV Club](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsDdQUPa4NvPvf2f00E5zfw) channel on YouTube has TONS of these. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/65 "2016-09-25T22:43:22Z")
Dammit! Missed the edit window to add Gwar covering [“She Bop”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGZ3FFKvdsA) by Cyndi Lauper. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/66 "2016-09-26T02:04:07Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Steve’N’Seagulls - “Holy Diver” (Bluegrass cover) This is fantastic! Thank you! It looks like they make a career of this as I see videos for them doing You shook Me All Night Long, Paradise City, Nothing Else Matters, etc. I’m going to sit here and listen to them all. This is a stretch because the topic is \*\*great \*\*songs and My Heart Will Go On (Titanic) is questionable depending on your point-of-view, but here’s a power metal version 😃 : [Battledragon](http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLOuHLAhQe0) ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/67 "2016-09-26T02:50:11Z")
[_Bad Moon Rising_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU7A7nFjLh0) by Aussie band The Reels. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/68 "2016-09-26T02:51:23Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > This is a stretch because the topic is \*\*great \*\*songs and My Heart Will Go On (Titanic) is questionable depending on your point-of-view, but here’s a power metal version 😃 : > > [Battledragon](http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLOuHLAhQe0) Surf instrumental version by Los Straitjackets. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qH93CUu8Rdw/maxresdefault.jpg "Los Straitjackets - My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From Titanic) (Celine Dion Cover)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH93CUu8Rdw) ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/69 "2016-09-26T05:38:35Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > The Beatnix’s version of [Stairway to Heaven](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WfoccRna6I). [The Money or the Gun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Money_or_the_Gun) was an Australian comedy/talk-show which ran from 1989 to 1990. There were 26 episodes and the music segment for each of them was a version of Stairway to Heaven. The version by Rolf Harris, replete with wobble board, reached number 7 on the UK singles chart. Kate Ceberano and The Ministry Of Fun, in a cool funk style with woodwind John Paul Young, in the style of Love is in the Air Pardon Me Boys, in a swing style (with numerous references to Glenn Miller songs) The Beatnix, a Beatles tribute band, in the style of I Want to Hold Your Hand, Please Please Me and Twist and Shout Nick Barker & The Reptiles, in a heavy blues style Rolf Harris, in the style of Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport The Australian Doors Show, in the style of When the Music’s Over by The Doors Sandra Hahn, Michael Turkic and chorus, in the style of an epic Wagner opera Robyne Dunn, in the style of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beatles Elvis impersonator Neil Pepper, in the style of Viva Las Vegas Toots - Jenny Lovell in the flesh, voice by Helen Jones, a femme fatale performance in the style of The Whipper Snappers, in an indie rock girl group style Friends Of The Castanet Club, as a sea shanty Toys Went Berserk a post-punk version Bob Downe, in the style of a lounge singer The Rock Lobsters, a B-52’s tribute band, in the style of Rock Lobster Jodie Gillies, in the style of a Broadway musical (with numerous references to One from A Chorus Line) Etcetera Theatre Company, as a techno dance in the style of Talking Heads The Jeff Duff Orchestra a chamber orchestra with vocals The Fargone Beauties, as a country thrash in the style of Dueling Banjos Judi Connelli, as a gospel song Barry Crocker and Doug Anthony All Stars in a unique style Vegimite Reggae, as a modern reggae The Symphony Chorus of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, as an a cappella chorus Leonard Teale, as a dramatic poem Rory O’Donoghue in the style of an advertising jingle and an Australian ballad ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/70 "2016-09-26T06:53:37Z")
frente doing a twee version of new orders bizarre love triangle … of course theres the shocking bad religion Christmas album … I expected the usual BR snark but they play the lyrics straight to the normal BR music style oh and joey ramones version of what a wonderful world …he should of been in the 50s ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/71 "2016-09-26T07:24:52Z")
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes were basically formed to do this. And [sometimes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-vRRMwMl0o)[did it very well.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz32NNMpuW0) ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/72 "2016-09-26T09:19:19Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > This is fantastic! Thank you! It looks like they make a career of this as I see videos for them doing You shook Me All Night Long, Paradise City, Nothing Else Matters, etc. I’m going to sit here and listen to them all. > > This is a stretch because the topic is \*\*great \*\*songs and My Heart Will Go On (Titanic) is questionable depending on your point-of-view, but here’s a power metal version 😃 : > > [Battledragon](http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLOuHLAhQe0) Happy you liked it. Here’s a fixed version of your link: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLOuHLAhQe0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLOuHLAhQe0) (Yours has an extra http:// on the front of it.) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/73 "2016-09-26T13:16:51Z")
You have not lived until you’ve heard [Silent Night](http://www.accuradio.com/share/song/4e38546977d9e74256037bd8/) tapped out by the 42nd St Broadway cast. And talk about a wailing trumpet. This is from the Carols for a Cure CD series, where many holiday songs are done in new styles. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/74 "2016-09-26T17:57:13Z")
The Civil Wars [I Want You Back](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6dPVydzKZQ) is totally different form the Jackson 5 version. They also have a version of[Billy Jean.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZhIm-XtZIk) But my favorite of theirs isn’t a cover really, since the song is probably in the public domain. [You Are My Sunshine.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPVW2ed_9Lc) ---
**Author:** ![Doubticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@Doubticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doubticus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/75 "2016-09-26T18:09:28Z")
I like Nevermore’s metal cover of “The Sound of Silence.” [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4uG7sd-YPmE/hqdefault.jpg "Sound of Silence - Nevermore") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uG7sd-YPmE) Peter Gabriel’s cover of The Magnetic Field’s “Book of Love”. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/FmnDXRJ7btE/hqdefault.jpg "Peter Gabriel - The Book of Love") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmnDXRJ7btE) ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/76 "2016-09-27T16:41:07Z")
Concrete Blonde-“Simple a Twist of Fate” (Bob Dylan) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zfwL9Spw8YY/maxresdefault.jpg "Simple Twist Of Fate") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfwL9Spw8YY) ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/77 "2016-09-27T17:23:09Z")
I think Anne Murrary’s “Snowbird” could be an awesome sort of post punk or industrial song if someone would only record it thus. My partner’s entertainment company ran a local battle of the bands type concert for two years and I kept suggesting that someone try this. No one ever did, but I would love to hear one. ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/78 "2016-09-27T17:49:20Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > The Civil Wars [I Want You Back](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6dPVydzKZQ) is totally different form the Jackson 5 version. They also have a version of[Billy Jean.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZhIm-XtZIk) But my favorite of theirs isn’t a cover really, since the song is probably in the public domain. [You Are My Sunshine.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPVW2ed_9Lc) You reminded me of [Chris Cornell’s (Soundgarden) cover of Billie Jean.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0uWF-37DAM) ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/79 "2016-09-27T18:06:21Z")
Not sure if this counts (as in the OP’s request for “Great Songs”) but Canadians/Torontonians anyway may remember Drastic Measures’ “[Teddy Bears’ Picnic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydzug9-z5Ig)”. Nash the Slash played on it. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618/80 "2016-09-27T18:15:33Z")
I keep getting songs for this thread from looking ups songs for my Cold War Playlist. Nash the Slash ["Dead Man’s Curve](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m229hY3Onak)" for a late 70s punk version of Jan and Dean’s classic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-performed-in-totally-different-genres/766618.md?page=5)